Automatic copying machines



Dec, 18, 1956 J. F. MORMANN AUTOMATIC cop-1m; MACHINES 5 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed April 10, 1952 ii 2.1. t

J. F. MORMANN AUTOMATIC COPYING MACHINES Dec, 18, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 2Filed April 10, 1952 Dec. 18, 1956 J. F. MORMANN AUTOMATIC copymcMACHINES 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 10, 1952 Dec, 18, 1956 J. F.MORMANN AUTOMATIC COPYING MACHINES 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 10, 1952Dec, 18, 1956 J. F. MORMANN AUTOMATIC COPYING MACHINES 5 Sheets-Sheet 5Filed April 10, 1952 United States Patent AUTOMATIC COPYELJG MACHINES.laclrson F. Morrnann, Audubon, N. J.

Application April 10, 1952, Serial No. 281,617

3 Claims. (Cl. 9577.5)

This invention relates to a copying machine and more particularly to adevice for automatically providing facsimile reproductions fromtransparent and translucent original copies.

The apparatus of this invention can be used to copy or duplicate suchoriginal copies as engineering drawings, letters, drafts and reports,photographs, accounting records, advertising, invoices and the like.

The machine is provided with a delivery tray in which a supply ofsensitized material is placed. An automatic feed device will deliver toa cylinder from this tray, a sensitized sheet in synchronism with therotation of the cylinder.

This revolving cylinder contains a light source within. An orginal copyis placed over a transparent window which forms a portion of theperipheral surface of the cylinder. During rotation of the cylinder, thesensitized material is exposed to the transparent or translucentoriginal through this transparent closure. At a predetermined positionof rotation of the cylinder, a print separator removes the sheet ofsensitized material from the original on the cylinder and channels itinto the developing stage.

The developing process is a continuous one and is thus accomplishedwhile the print is in motion. The print is then moved from this stageinto a receiving tray where the operator can easily remove the finishedprint. The separator removes only the print from the machine and theoriginal remains on the cylinder. This cycle of duplicating is repeatedby automatically feeding another sensitized sheet into the machine.

After a predetermined number of prints have been made from any oneparticular original copy, it can be removed from the cylinder andanother original copy can be placed thereon.

It is, therefore, apparent that the original copy need be placed in themachine only once irrespective of the number of copies to be made fromit. The original copy is gripped by a clamping element rotatably mountedon the cylinder. Manual means are provided to release the grip of theclamping means after the desired number of prints have been made.However, during the entire operation of reproducing a quantity of printsfrom one original copy, this copy remains attached or gripped to therotating cylinder. It is apparent that only when a predetermined numberof prints have been made fromthe copy that it need be removed from themachine. This obviates the necessity of re-feeding and re-aligning theoriginal for each copying operation.

Machines of the prior art, akin to the machine of the instantapplication, had the disadvantage that if copying was not done on acontinuous roll, it was necessary to feed into the machine both theoriginal copy and the sensitized material. Furthermore, it was essentialthat the operator first align the original and the sensitized materialin order to make a properly centered copy print.

Another disadvantage was that following the feeding,

copying and developing stage, both the original and the print wereejected from the machine. Hence, if it was desired to make another copyof the same original, it was necessary that the operator realign theoriginal with another sensitized sheet. This combination was again fedinto the machine and the process was repeated. Accordingly, suchmachines did not have the automatic operation of my device.

My invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art machines and,in addition, incorporates additional features.

The automatic features of my machine will speed up production andobviate the necessity of aligning the sensitive material with theoriginal for each print and will automatically stack the finished printsin a delivery tray.

Large copying machines, to provide prints of the order of 42" and 54"are old and well known in the art. However, on such machines, it wasrarely necessary to reproduce large quantities of prints from theoriginals. Generally, only one or two'such reproductions were requiredand hence, no attempt was made to provide these large units withautomatic feeding and copying features. Furthermore, it was generallyconsidered that it would not be feasible to adapt these large deviceswith automatic features to the size and variation in size of theoriginals to be copied.

Furthermore, it was found to be impractical and ineflicient to use theselarge machines to copy letter size originals. To overcome thisdisadvantage, machines, identical in operation to the large ones, weremade on a reduced scale. Thus, when copying machines of a reduced sizewere made, no substantial changes were made, and automatic features werenot incorporated. That is, since automatic features were not desirableon large units, such features were not considered when the smaller,compact units were made. However, the demands of industry have indicatedthat automatic features are highly desirable on these smaller unitssince it is frequently necessary to produce large quantities of lettersize copies for purposes of advertising, distribution, etc. Therefore,by my invention, I do not only reduce the large copying machine size tothat of a portable unit, but I also incorporate this compact unit withautomatic feeding and copying features. Such a device will be a valuableauxiliary in engineering drawing and reproduction departments tosupplement similar larger equipment.

The small compact portable machine of my invention will thus relievesimilar larger machines of responsibility with respect to letter sizedoriginal copies.

Due to the automatic features of my machine, it will find applicationfor use by publishers who desire a quantity of reproductions for certainpreproduction phases of their business. Schools and universities willfind it-useful for reproducing scholastic record transcripts and thelike. Accounting, personnel and medical departments, etc., could alsomake valuable use of my device.

The prints, which are made fromthe original copy, are made from alightsensitive material. These materials may be of a variety of well knowntypes such as blueprints, black and white or ozalid of various coatedstocks such as paper, clot vellum, foils or films.

The developing material is selected depending on the type of sensitizedmaterial used. Thus, for example, if blueprints are to be made, thedeveloper would be a water and bichromate bath. For ozalid materials,

heated ammonia vapor would be the developing agent.

Fluid developer would be used for black and white processing.

The apparatus of my invention, for the purpose of simplicity, will bedescribed in connection with black 3 and white process in which a fluiddeveloping agent is used.

The light sensitive material, from which the print is made, isrelatively safe under normal room lighting. However, a latent image isproduced when this material is exposed to a high intensity incandescentlamp or a high pressure mercury vapor lamp.

An object of my invention is to provide a machine which has automaticfeeding and copying features.

Another object of my invention is to provide a device which eliminatesthe necessity of the operator manually aligning the sensitive materialWith the original copy.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a duplicatingmachine which requires no ink and produces a print which is as readableas the original.

Still another object of my machine is a novel automatic delivery meanswhich co-ordinates vacuum nozzles, stop means and feeding rollers.

Another object of my invention is to provide a variable speed which canbe adjusted in accordance with the degree of translucency of theoriginal copy.

Another object of my invention is a device which is compact, light andportable.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a duplicating machinewhich requires no outside connections or piping for installation,operates entirely by electricity and consumes very small quantities ofpower.

A still further object of my invention is a duplicating machine which issimple in construction, contains relatively few moving parts and isquiet in operation.

These and other objects and advantages of my inven tion will be betterunderstood from the following description taken in connection withaccompanying drawmgs:

Figure 1 is a schematic view of the invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the complete apparatus.

Figure 3 is a side sectional view illustrating the variable speed drivedevice transformer and compressor system.

Figure 4 is a side sectional view of the main body apparatus of myportion of the device.

Figure 5 is a top plan view partially in section and illustrates thedriving means and developing unit.

Figure 6 is a top plan view of my device.

The machine consists essentially of eight elements:

Sensitized material delivery tray Feed chute for an original copy Thedriving means The automatic feed device propriate light source The printseparator means The developing means The receiving tray for receivingprints.

1. Sensitized material delivery tray As may be best seen in Figures 1,4, 5 and 6, the apparatus is provided with a rectangular tray, denotedby the letter D, to hold the sensitized material from which the printsare eventually made. The channel members 50, 51, 52 support the deliverytray D as best seen in Figures 1 and 4.

The main portion of the rectangular delivery tray D "is provided with aflange body portion 46 which has The revolving exposure cylindercontaining an ap- 4. of the delivery tray, as best seen in Figures 1, 5and 6, and have two hold down rollers 49 rotatably mounted thereon. Thehold down rollers 49 engage the top sheet of the supply of sensitizedmaterial placed on the floating bed plate 47. Thus, although the seriesof springs 48 urge the material upwardly, the. hold down rollers 49limit the extreme upward position of the material.

By this means, the top sheet of sensitized material is maintained inappropriate position to react with the vacuum nozzle 53 hereinafterdescribed.

2. Feed chute for the Original copy The feed chute for the original copyis located above and forward of the sensitized material delivery tray.This chute is best seen in Figures 1, 4 and 6. The chute comprises abase or supporting plate 41 with L-shaped guide members 42 located onthe side thereof.

Rigidly attached to the base 41 is an extension car 40 as seen in Figure4.

A retaining bar 38 is pivotally mounted at 39 on the extension ear 40 ofthe base plate 41. The retaining bar 38 is resiliently and continuouslyurged in a clockwise direction. Thus, the leading edge of thetranslucent original T will engage the lip extension of the retainingbar 38 so that, together with base plate 41 and its associated guides42, the additional transparent original T is appropriately prepositionedfor automatic feed into the machine.

The machine is provided with a central knob 31 which can be placed inone of three positions I, II, or III. The purpose and function of thesepositions will hereinafter be described. When the release knob 31 isrotated counterclockwise of position III, it will rotate its associatedlever 36 in the same direction.

Engagement of lever 37 by lever 36 will revolve the clamp element 18clockwise about shaft 19 against the bias of spring 20. The leading edge21 of the clamp element 18 will thus engage the retaining bar 38 andforce it clockwise around its fixed pivot 39. This operation removes thesupport 38, for the leading edge of the additional original sheet T andthereby enables a copy to slide into the leading edge 21 of the element18.

3. The driving means As may best be seen in Figure 3, the source ofpower for the machine is derived from the motor M, which has a pulley104 integrally attached to its rotating shaft. Pivotally mounted to thesides of the machine are pulleys 107 and speed drive mechanism 93. v Theaforementioned three units are interlinked by means of belts and 106.Speed drive mechanism 93 has a pulley rigidly attached thereto which isthe driving element by means of belt 109 for the main sprocket 29.

As may best be seen in Figures 4 and 5, the main sprocket 29 is rigidlymounted on a shaft 28 which, in turn, is rotatably mounted on the sideplate 12a.

Rigidly mounted to cylinder C is an exterior tooth gear 22 which is anintegral part but in spaced relation with the cylinder C by means ofbushings and fastening elements 210. The gear provides a driving meansfor the cylinder C in a manner now to be described.

A spur gear 25 is pivotally mounted at 33 to member 27 and is in meshwith a companion gear 26. This companion gear 26 is mounted in drivingrelation with the sprocket 29.

A lever 30 and its associated knob 31 is attached to the extensionmember 27. This lever is biased by a spring 32 which tends to withdrawthe spur gear 25 from engagement with the main gear 22.

The pivotal mounting 33 of the spur gear 25 is provided with anextension roller 34. This extensionroller 34- cooperates with a holddown ring- 35 to thereby urge the spur gear 25 and the main gear 22 intodriving relation for a complete revolution of the cylinder C. The holddown ring 35 is rigidly attached to one end of the cylinder C and has asplit sect-ion located therein, which is sufficiently large to permitextension roller 34 of spur gear 25 to pass therethrough. When thecylinder C is inthe position noted in Figure 4, the split section willbe located opposite the spur gear 25. Thus, if no force were applied tohandle 31 to holdit in position I, then the biasing spring 32 wouldrotate extension member 27 and thereby urge extension roller 34 of itsassociated spur gear 25 through the split in hold down ring 35. Thismovement will move handle 31 to position II and disengage spur gear 25from the cylinder gear 22.

The cam extension 36 is integral part of the member 27 and cooperateswith the lever 37 as was heretofore noted. However, when the handle 31is moved to position II, either by hand or due to the action of spring32 moving extension roller 34 through the split section in hold downring 35, the cam extension 36 is not rotated sufficiently to engagelever 37. Thus, with the handle in position II, the clamping means 18-21will continue to grasp the original copy. However, when the handle isfurther rotated from position II to position III, the cam extension 36is rotated to a position where it engages extension lever 37 and thusrotates clamping means 18-21 to release the hold on the copy T. As maybe seen in Figure 5, the lever 37 is mounted externally on a shaft 19and is so mounted to disengage the clamping element 18 when knob 31 isrotated counterclockwise to its extreme position Ill shown by the dottedline of Figure 4.

Thus, position 111 of the handle permits the operator to easily withdrawthe original T from the clamping element 18 and also serves to depressthe retaining bar 38 to allow another original copy T to fall intoplace, as heretofore noted.

it will be noted (Figure 3) that the motor M serves both as a drivingmeans for the cylinder C and the pump 80. Although this construction hasbeen found desirable, separate motor means may be provided for thedriving means and pump.

The machine is also adapted for variable speed adjustment, which willnow be explained.

The speed drive mechanism 93 is a conventional split pulley that isbiased closed. Hence, when the tension of the belt 166 increases, itwillforce the pulley apart and. drive on asmaller diameter of thepulley.

As seen in Figure 3, the pulley 107 is. carried by the yoke mechanism108. Adjustment of the hand. Wheel- 94 will cause. the yoke 108 to moveback and forth on the screw 97. This will vary the tension of belt 106and cause it to vary the diameter of the efiective circumference ofsplit pulley 93. Thus, when the efiective circumference of the pulley 93is reduced, the speed of pulleys 93 and 110 will be increased to therebystep up the R. P. M.s of they copy cylinder C. Hence, with this meansavailable to regulate the speed of the cylinder C, exposure is adjustedto compensate for variations in the opacity of the originals.

The apparatus is also provided with an exposure meter 96 which ispositioned and provided to read the relative light transmission throughthe translucent original while in. place on the printing cylinder C.Thus, the above mentioned speed adjustments are made in accordanceWiththe degree of translucency. j --The hand wheel 94 may be providedwith calibrations -similar".to the calibrations on the exposure, meter96. Thus, when the appropriate calibration is read on the meter 96, theoperator need only set a speed control to a value corresponding to themeter reading.

As may best be seen in Figures 1, 4 and 5, a connecting manifold 54 isplaced in a transverse position on the machine. At the extremity of thismanifold, rollers 55 are rotatably attached. Connected to the sideplates 12a and 12b are guide support frames 97a and 97b. As may best beseen in Figures 1 and 4, the guide support frames 97 have a slot 56disposed therein. The rollers 55, rotatably mounted at the extreme endsof the connecting manifold 54 are housed and guided in the slot 56 ofthe guide member 97. Hence, the entire unit is free to oscillate in theslot 56 under the control of link mechanism 57 as will be hereinaftermore fully described.

A plurality of spaced vacuum nozzles 53 are attached to the connectingmanifold 54. The suction ends of the nozzles 53 are disposed above theupper sheet of the stack of sensitized material 8. The purpose andfunction of the nozzle 53 is to grasp the sensitized material S and moveit forward into the V-shaped mouth formed by belt B and cylinder C.

The vacuum for the nozzle 53 is supplied through the connecting manifold54, the flexible lead 83, pipe 103, valve 82, pipe 81, vacuum tank V andpipe 79. As may best be seen in Figure 3, this entire piping mechanismstems from the pump 80. It will be apparent that the pump draws airthrough pipe 79 and 81 to thereby create a vacuum in tank V and atnozzles 53.

Both the operation and the movement of the nozzles 53 are co-ordinatedand synchronized with the positional rotation of the main cylinder C.That is, at a predetermined position of cylinder C, the nozzles 53 willbe instrumental in bringing forward the sensitized material S.

At a second predetermined position of the cylinder C, the vacuum of thenozzle 53 will be cut off by valve 82, thereby releasing the paper andallowing other means to bring the sensitized material forward to thecylinder.

The oscillatory motion of the nozzles 53 is controlled by means of thelink mechanisms 57, 58 and 59. As may best be seen in Figure 4, link 57is pivotally mounted at pivot 100. The pivot member 57 pivots about thepoint and is controlled by the cam following surface 201 on link 59.

The main cylinder C is provided with a cam 61 which is integrallyconnected with the main cylinder C and rotates therewith. Therelationship of cam 61 with the cylinder C may best be seen in Figure 5.

It is noted in Figure 4 that the cam 61 is provided with a raisedportion 60. Hence, when the main cylinder C reaches a predeterminedrotational position, shown in Figure 4, the cam following surface 201will be depressed and thereby rotate the link mechanism 57 clockwise,bringing the nozzles 53 forward. I

Continued rotation of the main cylinder C will permit the cam followingportion 291 of lever 59 to engage the non-raised portion of the cam 61and thereby rotate the link 57 clockwise and thus move the nozzles 53 tothe right, guided by slot 56. v

It will be noted that during the major operation of the portion of themain cylinder C, the cam follower portion 201 of lever 59 will ride onthe non-raised portion of the cam 61. During this major operation of theportionof the main cylinder C, the nozzles 53 will be in their extremeright position.

It is only when the cylinder C is rotated toward a position so that itsraised portion 60 depresses the cam following portion 201 of the lever59 that the nozzles 53 are moved forward, as above noted, for the firstportion of their oscillatory motion.

There is also a control of the vacuum supply of the nozzles 53. The maincylinder C is provided-with a cam portion 74 located on the peripheralsurface. thereof. It is prepositioned to engage the micro-switch 73. Ata predetermined rotational position of the cylinder C,

the microswitch 73 acts as an electrical ou-ofi switch for the mainsolenoid 69. When the cam 74 is rotated into engagement with the contactlever of the microswitch 73, the energizing circuit for the solenoid 69is completed. It is thus apparent that the contact of the automatic feedreceives an electrical signal directly from the rotational position ofthe cylinder C without the necessity of lever bias means to transmit theinformation to the feed means.

The solenoid 69 serves a dual function. The solenoid is provided with anarmature 105'which has an extension 104, rigidly attached thereto. Whenthe solenoid 69 is energized due to the closing of the micro-switch 73,the extension 104 rotates to the position shown by the dotted line ofFigures 1 and 4. In this position of the extension 104, the valve 82will be closed to thereby remove the vacuum from the nozzles 53. Hence,the sensitized material S which has been brought forward by thesenozzles 53, will be free from the control of the nozzles and will befurther moved forward by means now to be described.

Connected to the side plates 12a and 1217, as seen in Figure 5, arepivot pins 108a and 108i). Extensions 71 are pivotally mounted thereonand the end thereof supports the transverse shaft 107. A series ofspaced drive rollers 70 are mounted on this shaft 107.

One end of the connecting rod 68 is secured to this extension 71 and theother end of the rod is connected to the armature extension 104. Hence,energization of the solenoid 69 will attract its armature 105, whichwill rotate the extension 104 to the dotted position and thereby throughthe connecting rod 68, rotate to drive roller 70 and arm 71counterclockwise about the pivot 108.

As will hereinafter be more fully explained, a belt control roller 62 isso positioned that when the drive roller 70 is rotated counterclockwise,it will cooperate therewith. As may best be seen in Figure 4, when therollers 62 and 70 cooperate, they will be instrumental in feeding thesensitized material S forward into the machine.

It will be noted that a stop member 66 is provided to prevent thesensitized material S from being moved into the machine. However, themovement of the stop means 66 is coordinated and synchronized with themovement of drive roller 70 so that when the drive roller 70 is broughtinto engagement with the roller 62, the stop 66 is removed from theforward movement path of the sensitized material S.

A U-shaped member 67, which has a stop means 66 rigidly attachedthereto, is pivotally mounted at 108 and is biased in a counterclockwisedirection by a spring (not shown). Any suitable means may be provided tolimit the clockwise rotation of U-shaped member 67 to the position shownin Figure 4.

The biasing spring of the U-shaped yoke 67 is not as strong as thebiasing spring 72 which connects the yoke 67 to the link 71. Hence, in aposition shown in Figure 4, the spring 72 will hold the yoke 67 in aposition shown and thereby render the element 66 effective as a stopmeans for the sensitized material S.

However, when the solenoid 69 is energized, thereby pulling the linkmechanism 71 downward, the spring 72 will be relaxed and the biasingmeans of the U-shaped yoke 67 will rotate it counterclockwise andthereby remove the stop 66 from the path of the material S.

Accordingly, it will be noted that the three operations occursimultaneously and in synchronism with positional rotation of thecylinder C, that is,

1. The vacuum to nozzles 53 is cut off, thereby relieving this unit ofthe control of the sensitized material.

2. The stop 66 is removed from the path of the sensitized material, andl 3. The feed roller 70 is brought into engagement with the belt roller62, thereby enabling them to move the material S forward to the cylinderC, a v A Thus, in summary, the pair of spaced vacuum nozzles 53 and theconnecting manifold 54 are provided to move the top sheet of thesensitized material S forward. Manifold 54 carries, at its outerextremities, a pair of guide rollers 55 which engage the guide slots 56and stop plates 97a and 97b. This combination will then be instrumentalin guiding the lateral motion of the nozzles. The feed nozzles 53 andmanifold 54 are urged back and forth by pivoted lever 57, links 58 andthe bell crank 59.

The stop plate 66 of the U-shaped yoke 67 provides a position stop forthe sensitized material S. The yoke 67 is connected through a link 68 tothe armature 105 of the solenoid 69.

A drive roller 70, supported by link 71, is urged by a spring 72 intocontact with a printing belt B, driving the sensitized material intoprinting relation with the cylinder C at synchronized intervals.

However, immediately prior to this movement, the micro-switch 73 isactuated by the adjustable cam 74. This energizes the solenoid 69 toclose the valve 82 and thus cut off the vacuum to feed nozzles 53.

A seen in Figures 4 and 5, rollers 62 are pivotally mounted between theend plates 12a and 12b. Rollers 63, 64 and 65 are pivotally mountedbetween the auxiliary'end plates 106a and 106b and act as a guide forthe series of belts B. These belts serve to maintain the sensitizedmaterial S, the translucent original T and the transparent closureportion of cylinder in contact while this combination is passing thelight source 43.

5. The revolving exposure cylinder containing an appropriate lightsource Three main shafts 11 are pivotally mounted between end plates 12aand 12b. Each shaft contains two guide rollers 10. As clearlyillustrated in Figure 4, the rollers 10 act as a positional guide forthe cylinder C and limits its lateral movements. These rollers actmerely as a support for the cylinder C and do not drive the unit.

The printing cylinder C comprises a main body portion 13, and arectangular opening 14 and supporting lugs 15 and 16. A transparentclosure 17 is fitted within the rectangular opening 14 and is supportedby these lugs 15 and 16. The closure forms the exposure surface of thecylinder C.

Located within the main cylinder C is a shaft 19 which carries a seriesof clamping elements 18 biased by springs 20 about shaft 19 incounterclockwise direction. These units are provided to grip the leadingedge of the translucent original T by means of leading edge 21. Thus,the translucent original T is held in engagement with the transparentportion 17 of the cylinder C and remains there until an exposure cycleis completed.

An appropriate highly actinic light source 43 and its associatedreflector 44 are mounted on said plates 12a and 12b, positioned withinthe printing cylinder C, and are controlled by the ballast transformer45, seen in Figure 3. Thus, the light source is stationary and does notmove with the cylinder. Accordingly, exposure of the sensitized materialS is eifected when the transparent portion 17 of the cylinder C and theoriginal T, attached thereto, pass the light source 43.

6. The print separator means The apparatus is provided with a vacuumtank V which is perforated at 75 to form the print separator means.

The vacuum in tank V is created through a flexible tube 79 by means ofthe rotary pump mechanism 80. As seen in Figure 3, vacuum is maintainedat all times in the vacuum tank V due to the operation of the pumpmechanism 80; When the printing cylinder C is rotated to a position sothat the sensitized material S is opposite the perforated section at 75,the vacuum from the tank V will draw the exposed sensitized material Sfrom the translucent original T and guides it into the developingapparatus D. It will be noted that the translucentoriginal T is firmlygripped to the cylinder C by means of the holding mechanism 18 and itslip 21 and thus, will not be removed from the cylinder by the vacuumexisting at the perforations 75.

An auxiliary set of rollers 76 and 77 are mounted between the auxiliaryend plates 106a and 106k. These rollers guide and control the auxiliarybelt 78 which, as best seen in Figures 1 and 4, cooperates with theprinter belt B. Hence, when the print separator 75 removes the exposedsensitized material S from the cylinder C, the material S will be guidedinto the V-shape formed by the belts 78 and B. Cooperation of thesebelts will properly guide the exposed print into the developingapparatus.

7. The developing means The developing means of my apparatus is seengenerally in the upper left hand corner of Figures 1 and 4.

The developing apparatus comprises the tank 84, pick up roller 85,distributing roller 86, application roller 87 and supporting discs 88.The tank 84 is provided to hold a supply of developing agent.

As will be apparent from the foregoing discussion, the rotation of theprinting cylinder C will cause the belts B to rotate. This will resultin the rotation of rollers 64 and 65 which are mounted by means ofappropriate gear mechanism to the pick up roller 85.

The bath 84 contains a liquid developing agent which is applied to theexposed sensitized material by rollers 85, 86 and 87 as the materialemerges from the printing belt B. and the belts 78. Hence, at thispoint, a print is created from the exposed sensitized material S.

8. The receiving tray for the prints A receiving tray 89 is provided toreceive the finished prints as they emerge from the developing apparatusand has a series of holders :1 to keep the prints flat and in position.

A duct 90 forms communication between the pressure side of pumpmechanism 8% and the interior of cylinder C to circulate air and coollamp 43 and cylinder C.

This heated air is exhausted from the cylinder C by means of a duct 91and through nozzle 92 directs a continuous blast of warm air upon thedamp surface of the print as they automatically stack in the receivingtray 89.

Summary The device consists of a revolving cylinder, transparent inpart, upon which is fastened a translucent original of which facsimilereproductions are required.

The cylinder contains a high actinic light source. A sheet of sensitizedmaterial is fed to a cylinder in contact with the translucent originalfastened thereto. Exposure is made by virtue of light passing from theabove mentioned source from the transparent cylinder through atranslucent original to a sheet of sensitized material. An exposure thusmade produces a latent image which is then developed to a permanentvisible image and the resulting point is then delivered to anappropriate receiving tray.

Each revolution of the cylinder produces one facsimile copy. The entireoperation is automatic when the handle is held in position I and oncethe original has been fed into the machine, as many duplicates can beproduced as desired without the necessity of removing and reinsertingthe original copy. It is only after a required quantity of reproductionsare made that the original is removed by moving the handle to positionIII. It may be replaced with another original and the entire automaticoperation is then repeated.

If the handle is not held in position I, then the machine will produceone print and stop. Hence, the device can be used as an automatic orsemi-automatic device.

In the foregoing, I have described my invention only in connection withpreferred specific embodiments thereof. Many variations andmodifications of the principles of my invention within the scope of thedescription herein are obvious. Accordingly, I prefer to be bound. notby the specific disclosure herein but only by the appending claims.

I claim:

1. In an automatic duplicating machine for making prints fromtranslucent originals, comprising an automatic feed mechanism, arevolving cylinder, manual control means and a driving mechanism; saidcylinder having a transparent closure in the peripheral surface thereof;clamping means pivotally mounted on the peripheral surface of saidcylinder and positioned adjacent the leading edge of said transparentclosure, said clamping means having extending fingers to receive andgrip the leading edge of said translucent original; said manual controlmeans being operatively and selectively connectible to said cylinder,said driving mechanism and said clamping means; said manual controlmeans having a first, second and third position, said manual controlmeans manually moved to said first position to connect saiddrivingrnechanism to said revolving cylinder, said manual control meansdisconnecting said driving mechanism from said revolving cylinder whensaid manual control means is moved to said third and said secondposition; means operatively connected to said control means to move saidmanual control means to said second position following a completerevolution of said revolving cylinder, said manual control meansoperatively connected to said clamping means only when said controlmeans is in said third position to thereby render said clamping meansineffective to grip the leading edge of said translucent original; saidmachine having automatic duplicating operation from a single translucentoriginal when said manual operating means is maintained in said firstposition; speed adjusting means operatively connected to said drivingmeans to regulate the speed of said driving means and thereby permitcontinuous rotation of said cylinder through a complete cycle and fromcycle to cycle.

2. In an automatic duplicating machine for making prints from atranslucent original comprising an automatic feed mechanism for saidprints, a revolving cylinder, a driving mechanism and manual controlmeans; said cylinder having a rectangular opening in the peripheralsurface thereof with a transparent closure received by said rectangularopening; clamping means pivotally mounted on the peripheral surface ofsaid cylinder in a line parallel to the axis of said cylinder andpositioned adjacent the leading edge of said transparent closure, saidclamping means having extending fingers to receive the leading edge ofsaid translucent original; biasing means for said clamping means torender said extending fingers effective to grip the leading edge of saidtranslucent original; said manual control means being operativelyconnected to said clamping means to defeat the operation of said biasingmeans only when said manual control means is moved to a third position,said manual control means operatively and selectively connectible tosaid driving mechanism and said cylinder and efi-ective to connect saiddriving mechanism to said rotating cylinder when said manual controlmeans is moved to a first position; means operatively connected to saidcontrol means to move said manual control means to a second positionfollowing a complete rotation of said rotating cylinder; said manualcontrol means effective to disconnect said driving mechanism from saidrotating cylinder when said manually operable means is in said secondand said third position, said manual control means operatively connectedto permit automatic duplicating operation of said machine from saidtranslucent original when said man- 11 ually operable means is manuallymaintained in said first position during the operation of said machine;speed adjusting means operatively connected to said driving means toregulate the speed of said driving means and thereby permit continuousrotation of said cylinder through a complete cycle and from cycle tocycle.

3. In an automatic copying machine, for making prints from translucentoriginals, a delivery tray, a delivery chute, an automatic feedmechanism, a revolving cylinder, driving means, a developing means and are ceiving tray; said cylinder having a rectangular opening in theperipheral surface thereof with a transparent closure fitted in saidrectangular opening; clamping means pivotally .mounted on the peripheralsurface of said cylinder on a line parallel to the axis of said cylinderand located adjacent the leading edge of said transparent closure, saidclamping means having extending fingers to receive and grip the leadingedge of said translucent original; a manual control means with a first,second and third position and being operatively and selectivelyconnectible to said cylinder, said driving means and said clampingmeans; said manual control means operatively positioned to permit saidclamping means to grip the leading edge of said translucent originalwhen said control means is in said first or second position; said manualcontrol means when in said third position operatively connected to saidclamping means and being efiective through said clamping means toautomatically deliver a translucent original from said delivery chute tosaid extending fingers; said manual control means operatively connectedto engage said revolving cylinder and said driving means when saidmanual control means is moved to said first position and operativelyconnected to disengage said driving means from said revolving cylinderwhen said manual control means is in said second and third position;said manual control means operatively connected to etfect automaticoperation of said copying machine when said control means is manuallymaintained in said first position; means to bias said manual controlmeans to said second position, said biasing means operatively connectedto said manual control means to move said control means to said secondposition following a single rotation of said revolving cylinder whenexternal manual force is removed from said control lever to therebyeflect non-automatic operation of said copying machine, With manualcontrol means capable of being maintained in said first position when anexternal force is applied thereto to thereby defeat the operation ofsaid biasing means to thereby efiect automatic operation of said copyingmachine, said manual control means operatively connected to saidclamping means to defeat the operation thereof only when said manualcontrol means is moved to said third position; said automatic feedmechanism being effective at predetermined rotational positions of saidcylinder to move a sensitized sheet from said delivery tray to saidrevolving cylinder to thereby place said sensitized sheet in registerwith said transparent copy; print separator means to remove saidsensitized sheet from said original copy at another predeterminedposition of rotation of said cylinder; de- Veloping means to develop alatent image on said sensitized sheet after it has been removed fromsaid translucent copy, said receiving tray adapted to receive saiddeveloped sensitized material.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,676,495 Hammond July 10, 1928 1,709,320 Powers Apr. 16, 1929 1,958,727Sullivan May 15, 1934 2,220,526 Kluitmann Nov. 5, 1940 2,371,925 SchadeMar. 20, 1945 2,373,040 McDonald Apr. 3, 1945 2,574,215 Kunstadter Nov.6, 1951 2,600,469 Breuers June 17, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 643,566 GreatBritain Sept. 20, 1950

